Join Old North for a free, family-friendly festival on the Prado and celebrate all things colonial! Try your hand at quill writing, sewing, chocolate-making and more!

Sunday, July 1:

Independence Day Service

9 am – 10 am & 11am – 12:15pm / Old North Church

Attend our regular Sunday Episcopal Church worship service! “Christ Church in the City of Boston” was built by Anglicans, and Episcopalians have worshiped here since the birth of our nation. All are welcome to join our congregation to celebrate the Eucharist in the church where the lanterns of freedom were hung.

From Bean to Beverage – Colonial Chocolate

Noon – 4 pm / St. Francis Courtyard

Learn about colonial chocolate from costumed interpreters. See and participate in the process of making colonial chocoate while sampling some for yourself. Free with admission.

The Art of Change Ringing

Noon – 1 pm / Bigelow Courtyard

What are change ringing bells? Find out from Old North Church Bell Ringers as they explain the ancient and complex art of change ringing. Free with admission.

Monday, July 2:

From Bean to Beverage – Colonial Chocolate

9 am – 5:30 pm / Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate (Clough House)

Learn about colonial chocolate from costumed interpreters. See and participate in the process of making colonial chocoate while sampling some for yourself. Free with admission.

Dramatic Reading of “Paul Revere’s Ride “

11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm & 5 pm / St. Francis Garden

“One if by land, two if by sea…” Hear Henry Wadsworth Longfellow himself read his most famous poem. Free with admission.

Art & Architecture Tour

6 pm – 7 pm / Old North Church

Explore Old North Church like never before! Examine the architecture and fine art of this magnificent Georgian building on this special, limited-time tour. Tickets!

Tuesday, July 3:

From Bean to Beverage – Colonial Chocolate

9 am – 5:30 pm / Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate (Clough House)

Learn about colonial chocolate from costumed interpreters. See and participate in the process of making colonial chocoate while sampling some for yourself. Free with admission.

Declaring Independence Then & Now

11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm & 5 pm / Old North Church

Watch a 30-minute public performance as a narrator and 5 re-enactors bring to life the Declaration of Independence! Free with admission.

Coming up at Old North: the Washington Garden & Courtyard Design Project

2 pm / Washington Courtyard

Discover Old North’s exciting plans to renovate its Washington Garden, tell stories of its immigrant history and reinterpret Longfellow’s famous poem, all through the lens of landscape architecture. Free with admission.

Art & Architecture Tour

6 pm – 7 pm / Old North Church

Explore Old North Church like never before! Examine the architecture and fine art of this magnificent Georgian building on this special, limited-time tour. Tickets!

Wednesday, July 4:

From Bean to Beverage – Colonial Chocolate

9 am – 5:30 pm / Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate (Clough House)

Learn about colonial chocolate from costumed interpreters. See and participate in the process of making colonial chocoate while sampling some for yourself. Free with admission.

Dramatic Reading of the Declaration of Independence

11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm & 5 pm / Old North Church

Gather with us in the Old North Church for a lively reading of the document that changed our nation. Audience interaction is encouraged. Free with admission.

Daily Programs:

Behind the Scenes Tours

10 am – 4:30 pm / Old North Church

Walk in the footsteps of Paul Revere to the bell ringing chamber to learn about Old North’s bells and explore the church crypt, where 1,100 bodies have been buried. Tickets available for purchase on site.

Bones & Burials Tours

11 am & 3 pm / Old North Church

Learn about life and death in colonial Boston by visiting the church crypt and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground! Tickets available for purchase on site.

Dear Professor Longfellow

9 am – 5: 30 pm / Patriots Corner (Clough House)

Meet the literary celebrity Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in person and discover why he wrote his famous poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride.” Participate in hands-on writing activities: magnetic poetry, cursive primer, collaborative poem, decorate a postcard and mail a letter to the profressor himself! Free with admission.